ON THE BENCH
Wayne Rooney’s ‘drunk in public’ arrest could see him lose MILLIONS in sponsorships and even ‘put marriage at risk’
The ex-England star was held at Dulles International Airport last month
WAYNE Rooney's arrest for being drunk in public could see him lose multi-million pound sponsorship deals and could even put his marriage at risk, it's reported.
The ex-England and Man United star, who is currently on a three-year deal at DC United in the States, was held at Dulles International Airport in Washington last month.
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He was arrested after a booze and sleeping pill mix left him "disoriented" after arriving on a flight from Saudi Arabia.
It is not known whether Coleen, 32, knew about her husband's arrest in Washington.
The 33-year-old, who earns £300,000 a week in America was fined $25 (£20) for "triggering a door alarm".
But the boozy episode could now cost him a lot more in lucrative deals, experts say.
US brand executive Thomas Rogers told the : “Nowhere in the world is a clean-cut image more important to a sports star than in America.
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“The merest hint that a brand could be brought into disrepute is enough to see multi-million-dollar deals ended.
“Rooney will have to expiate himself if big names are to want to put their brands and their buck behind him.”
The former Manchester United and Everton star’s boot sponsorship deal with Nike is reportedly worth £1million a year.
In August, Rooney signed a multi-million pound marketing deal in the US, making him one of the MLS’s highest earners.
The family promotions contract was with marketing giant Octagon.
Rooney had been in Saudi Arabia on December 15 for the Riyadh Formula E Grand Prix before returning to Cheshire for Christmas.
Friends reportedly fear Rooney's latest indiscretion could also put a strain on his marriage.
A source told the Mirror: “Whenever Coleen is not around it seems Wayne tends to go off the rails.
“She had hoped moving to America would see a fresh start for the family putting behind Wayne’s previous problems.
“Coleen loves the lifestyle in the States. She can go about her business without anyone knowing who she is. But this latest arrest just pours more shame on them.”
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England's all-time leading scorer quit Everton to head to Major League Soccer club (MLS) DC United in June last year.
In a statement, his spokesman said: "Wayne Rooney was arrested and detained at Dulles airport following a long flight from Saudi Arabia after a one-day promotional business trip.
"During the flight Wayne took a prescribed amount of sleeping tablets mixed with some alcohol consumption and consequently was disorientated on arrival.
"He was approached by police who arrested him on a minor misdemeanour charge.
"He received a statutory automatic fine and was released shortly afterwards at the airport.
"The matter is now at an end.
"Wayne would like to put on record his appreciation for the manner he was treated by all involved."
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A spokesman for Loudoun County Sheriff's Office added: "He was booked into the Loudoun County Adult Detention Centre on December 16, 2018, on a charge of public intoxication stemming from an arrest by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police (MWAA).
"He was later released on a personal recognizance bond."
DC United also released a statement last night saying they were aware of reports surrounding the player's arrest.
A spokesperson added: "We understand the media's interest in this matter but believe this is a private matter for Wayne that DC United will handle internally."
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Rooney said he let his family down after admitting being three times the limit when arrested.
He had 104 micrograms of alcohol in his breath, the legal limit in the UK is 35 micrograms.
He was banned from driving for two years and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
After his arrest in the early hours of September 1, 2017, the striker was released on bail charged with "driving while over the prescribed limit".
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It later emerged Rooney was docked two weeks of wages - about £300,000 - while with childhood club Everton.
He also paid a £170 fine and agreed to undergo a drink-driving rehabilitation that could reduce his driving ban.
Rooney's wife Coleen was pregnant with the couple's fourth child at the time and had made the announcement days before his arrest.
Simpson later revealed she had "kissed and hugged" the football star after they met in a bar before he drove her VW Beetle in Cheshire.
Coleen and Wayne's marriage was rocked by his drink-drive shame
Former England captain Rooney is the all-time highest scorer with 53 goals for his country, and rejoined boyhood club Everton in 2017.
But he has now moved to the States with Coleen and their four sons while Rooney carries on his football career DC United.
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Rooney recently made an appearance as a pundit on BT Sport on December 22 for their coverage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first game in charge of former club Manchester United.
It isn't the first time Rooney's drinking has landed himself in hot water - in 2015, The Sun revealed how he had been knocked out in a kitchen boxing bout.
The star, who played for Utd at the time, was stuck by pal Phil Bardsley of Stoke City as friends filmed the wild lads’ night in.
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